Robert Christian "Bob" (1913-2001) was born in Austin, Texas, the grandnephew of Rudolph Kleberg, nephew of Harry M. Wurzbach, and cousin of Richard M. Kleberg. He earned both a B.A. (1935) and a law degree (1939) from the University of Texas at Austin before joining the U.S. Army from 1942-1944. Eckhardt worked as Southwestern Director of the Office of Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs until he won election to the Texas House of Representatives in 1958. He stayed in the Texas legislature until 1966, when voters sent him to the U.S. House of Representatives. Eckhardt, a Democrat, served in the House until his defeat in 1980. While in Congress, Eckhardt focused much of his energy on environmental causes. He authored the War Powers Act, and contributed to the Toxic Substances Act. He was also a cofounder of the Texas Observer magazine.
From the guide to the Eckhardt (Robert C. ) Papers, 1931-1992, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)
